Military Cross (Belgium)

Military Cross
Military Cross First Class
Awarded by Kingdom of Belgium
Type	Military decoration, with degrees 1st Class and 2nd Class
Eligibility	Commissioned Officers of the Belgian Armed Forces
Awarded for	Loyal and uninterrupted service.
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
Established	11 February 1885
Precedence
Next (higher)	Military Decoration for exceptional action or for acts of bravery or devotion
Next (lower)	Military Decoration for Meritorious Service
Ribbon bar of the Military Cross First Class Ribbon bar of the Military Cross Second Class

The Military Cross (Dutch: Militaire Kruis, French: Croix Militaire) is a military decoration of Belgium. It was established on 11 February 1885 and is awarded to commissioned officers in the Belgian Armed Forces for loyal and uninterrupted service. Officers of the military reserve can also be awarded this decoration, on the condition that they participated in the yearly training period every year. Annually, approximately 300 Military Crosses are awarded.

Classes

The Military Cross is awarded in two classes: First Class and Second Class.

Insigna

It has a gilt finish bath cross with the arms filled in with black enamel. Crossed swords are positioned between the arms of the cross. Suspension is by means of a pivoting crown and ring. The obverse central medallion depicts the Belgian lion rampant, the reverse medallion bears the royal monogram. The medal is silver for the Military Cross Second Class and Gold for the Military Cross First Class.

The ribbon is green, with two red stripes set in one mm from the edge. The design is such that it is noticed as being the ribbon for the Military Cross. The ribbon that is attached to the medal is tinted in a green colour, with two red stripes that is the same as the ribbon that is used in an undress. The ribbon on the medal is attached by a golden ring which is attached to a golden clasp which connects with the medal. In addition, the Military Cross First Class has a rosette on the ribbon.

Award Conditions

The Military Cross is awarded to commissioned officers of the Belgian armed forces on the basis of their length of service:

• Military Cross First Class: Awarded after 25 years of meritorious service as a commissioned officer;
• Military Cross Second Class: Awarded to a commissioned officer after 25 years of meritorious service in the Belgian military.

See also

• Cross of Honour for Military Service Abroad
• Military Decoration (Belgium)
• Commemorative Medal for Armed Humanitarian Operations
• Commemorative Medal for Foreign Operation or Mission
• Medal of Military Merit (Belgium)
• Commemorative Medals for Army Marches
• List of Belgian decorations
• List of Belgian military decorations

References

• Royal Decree of 11 February 1885 Creating the Military Cross
• Belgian military regulation A83 on Military Decorations
• Belgian military regulation DGHR-REG-DISPSYS-001 of 20 February 2006
• Borné A.C., Distinctions honorifiques de la Belgique, 1830-1985 (Bruxelles: 1985)

External links

• Belgian Military Cross at Northeastmedals